Special Education Services

The Special Education and Pupil Services Office is located in the east wing of Saxton Middle School. The telephone number is 631-687-6440.

Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)

The primary function of the Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE) is to identify, evaluate, review the status of, and make recommendations concerning the appropriate special education services of each preschool child with a disability and to facilitate the delivery of those services.  If you suspect that your child has a disability or are referred by your doctor or a preschool professional, please contact: Lori Goldstein Director of Preschool Special Education.

Committee on Special Education (CSE)

Students who are suspected of having a learning disability are referred to a multidisciplinary team called the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The Committee on Special Education (CSE) is responsible for servicing children with disabilities from 5 to 21 years of age. Children who are identified as having a learning disability are referred for Special Education. Specially designed individualized or group instruction, special services or special programs are recommended through this committee to meet the individual needs of students. Special Education programs and services are provided for the student at no cost to the parent.  If you suspect your child has a disability, please contact:

As specified by New York State Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations, a continuum of program alternatives is available to meet the varied needs of students with disabilities who reside in the Patchogue-Medford School District.  The continuum represents programs which are available within the district, by contract with neighboring school districts, provided by BOCES or private educational agencies and by State supported schools.

Continuum of Services Offered Within Patchogue-Medford School District Schools

Related Services

• Speech Language Services
• Occupational therapy
• Physical Therapy
• Counseling Services
• Hearing/ Vision Itinerant Services

Consultant Teacher (CT) - direct and/or indirect services to students with disabilities who attend regular education classes, including career and technical education classes, and/or to such students’ regular education teachers.

Resource Room (RR) - supplements the regular or special classroom instruction of students with disabilities who are in need of such supplemental programs.

Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) - the provision of specially designed instruction and academic instruction provided to a group of students with disabilities and nondisabled students.

Special Class - Equivalent and Non-Equivalent - Students are placed into special education programs only when the severity of their disability is such that education in general education classes even with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. The following standards shall be used in the provision of special classes for students with disabilities:

1. A student with a disability shall be placed in a special class for instruction on a daily basis to the extent indicated in the student's individualized education program.
2. In all cases the size and composition of a class shall be based on the similarity of the individual needs of the students

Parents should discuss the differences between Equivalent and Non-equivalent Special Classes during their child’s CSE meeting. 

The special education directors are also available to discuss and answer questions about all of the abovementioned programs. The special education directors can be reached at 631-687-6440.

Services in Non-Public Schools:

Parents of students who have an IEP and enroll their child in a nonpublic school (both private and parochial) where they are paying tuition, must, in writing, notify the school district where the non-public school is located, that they are requesting special education services. This request must be received by the district of location no later than June 1st before the start of the school year in which services are to be provided.  This request must be done each year.

Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.

At the elementary and secondary school level, determining whether a child is a qualified disabled student under Section 504 begins with the evaluation process. Parents of students who have a disability but do not qualify for special education services under IDEA can request a Section 504 hearing by contacting the principal in their child's school.

Additional questions or concerns can be addressed by calling Pupil Services at (631) 687-6440.

United States Department of Education Protecting Students with Disabilities FAQ

A successful transition process is based on the student’s strengths, preferences and interests, and requires collaboration between the school district, student, family and community agencies.  Transition planning and services are designed to prepare a student with a disability to achieve his or her post-secondary goals related to living, learning and earning within the community.

Transition Requirements and Guideline as per the New York State Education Department (NYSED)

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/transition/randg.htm

Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education – Know Your Rights and Responsibilities

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.htmlesponsibilities

Transition Resources

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services/Vocational Rehabilitation  (ACCESS-VR) 

www.acces.nysed.gov       
800-441-0320
Suffolk County Office 
250 Veterans Highway
NYS Office Building
Room 3A-12
Hauppauge, NY 11788 
631-952-6357  

ACCES Vocational Rehabilitation program can help an eligible person with a disability to plan for a career, participate in paid work experiences, receive training to achieve work goals and find jobs that match their abilities, interests and needs.

Association for Children with Down Syndrome (ACDS)                            

www.acds.org
4 Fern Place
Plainview, NY 11803   
516-933-4700 x 111

ACDS is dedicated to providing lifetime resources of exceptional quality, innovation and inclusion for individuals with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities and their families.

Advocates for Individuals with High Functioning Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (AHA/AS/PDD)                       

330 Broadway 
Amityville, NY 11701  
631-734-8156  or  888-918-9198

AHA/AS/PDD; the goal of this not for profit organization is to increase awareness and knowledge about ASD, attain appropriate educational programs, effective social skills training, meaningful employment and satisfactory independent living accommodations.

Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities (ACLD)     

www.acld.org
807 South Oyster Bay Road
Bethpage, NY 11714                                                 
516-822-0028

The mission of ACLD is to support the pursuit of an enviable life for people with developmental disabilities. We will accomplish this by: assisting individuals to make meaningful choices, develop significant relationships and have productive, healthy and enjoyable lives.

AHRC Suffolk Chapter  

www.ahrcsuffolk.org  
300 Knickerbocker Avenue #1
Bohemia NY 11716        
631-589-5222

AHRC Suffolk's mission is to support and advocate with individuals of all ages with unique abilities and challenges. Our commitment is to provide individualized, high quality services utilizing person-centered approaches assisting them to discover and define their own quality of life.

Career Zone                                                            

http://www.careerzone.ny.gov
Career Zone is an online career exploration system that was designed for middle and high school students by the NYS Department of Labor with a grant from the US Department of Labor. It is an interactive site designed to encourage students to explore career options as a means of making informed choices about their future.

CHADD – Suffolk Chapter   

P.O. Box 414
Centereach, NY 11720

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), is a national non-profit, tax-exempt (Section 501 (c) (3) ) organization providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD.

Clubhouse of Suffolk     

939 Johnson Avenue
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779              
631-471-7242
For intake screening, call: Dennis Skow at 531.369.0022 ext 1205  

Clubhouse serves those individuals whose lives are affected by serious mental illness to live healthy, productive, addiction free, and satisfying lives.

Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH)

866-871-3000
TTY: 866-871-6000

This site has information regarding specialized transition services for youth that are blind or have visual impairments. The mission of the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped is to enhance employability, to maximize independence, and to assist in the development of the capacities and strengths of people who are legally blind.

Community Resource Database of Long Island                     

www.211longisland.org/cms

This is a database of over 11,000 Health, Human Services, and Educational Resources on Long Island.

Family Service League  

www.fsl-li.org
471 Atlantic Ave
Bellport, NY 11713
631-286-9090 

Family Service League serves individuals of all ages and families who are in crisis and challenged by homelessness, unemployment or mental illness. These services include counseling, vocational services, and housing.

Families Together in New York State                                     

www.ftnys.org
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
Bldg 45 3^rd Floor 998
Crooked Hill Road
West Brentwood, NY 11717 
631-761-3181                   

This is a nonprofit, parent-run organization that strives to establish a unified voice for children with emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Their mission is to ensure that every family has access to needed information, support, and service.

Federation of Organizations                         

www.fedoforg.org   
1 Farmingdale Road
West Babylon NY 11704
631-669-5355 x 1270

Federation of Organizations is a multi-service, community-based social welfare agency operating programs that utilize peer support within a self-help model. We develop programs that are designed to meet the needs of special populations, such as people recovering from mental illness, the homeless, low-income seniors, and at-risk children. For more than 35 years, Federation, a not-for-profit corporation, has been working to improve services to people with disabilities and their families through education, information and referral services, legislative action, and program development.

Health and Transition                                                                   

www.healthytransitionsny.org

This website is for youth with developmental disabilities ages 14-25 years, family, caregivers, service coordinators, and health care providers. Healthy Transitions NY teaches skills and provides tools for care coordination, keeping a health summary, and setting priorities during the transition process. It features video vignettes that demonstrate health transition skills and interactive tools that foster self-determination and collaboration. Use this site to develop skills for transitioning from pediatric to adult health care.

International Dyslexia Association    

www.interdys.org     
410-296-0232     

The IDA is promoting literacy through research, education and advocacy. The purpose of the IDA is to pursue and provide the most comprehensive range of information and services that address the full scope of dyslexia and related difficulties in learning to read and write.

This is a leading resource for individuals with dyslexia, their families and educators. Speech-to-Text Freeware: There are a number of free software programs (very basic) for speech to text. 

Learning Tools:
www.learningtools.us
Assistive technology and regular technology for students with disabilities.

Job Corps                            

http://www.jobcorps.gov
18 Railroad Ave
Patchogue, NY 11772              
631-569-2868

Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For eligible youth at least 16 years of age, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in life.

Long Island Advocacy Center         

http://www.theliac.org         
490 Wheeler Road
Suite 165
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-234-0467
                                                                        
This is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to protecting the legal rights of students and individuals with disabilities. This center offers students solutions to problems such as discipline, suspensions, and inappropriate placements. Individuals with disabilities are offered assistance with case management, obtaining vocational rehabilitation services and appropriate educational programs.

Long Island Parent Center  

LIU Brentwood
1001 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717
516-589-4562   

LIPC provides training for parents of students who are receiving special education services. Available services include advocacy training, individual assistance to parents and workshops.

Mental Health Association in Suffolk County (MHA)       

http://mhaw.org/programs/mental-health-help-line/
631-226-3900

MHA is a not for profit agency devoted to improving mental health and mental health services.

Center for Parent Information and Resources (Formerly NICHY) 

http://www.parentcenterhub.org

CPIR offers a wealth of information on disabilities. CPRI serves the nation as a central source of information on disabilities for all children, IDEA, NCLB, research based educational practices, and Transition.

Office of Mental Health (OMH)                                                                   

www.omh.ny.gov
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center
Building 45-3 998
Crooked Hill Road
West Brentwood, NY 11717
1-800-597-8481    
Long Island Parent Representative:  631-761-2334

OMH offers a comprehensive array of services for children and adults with serious mental illness.

Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)              

www.opwdd.ny.gov
415 Oser Ave Suite A
Hauppauge, NY 11788                                                    
631-434-6000

OPWDD works cooperatively with local governments, voluntary organization, providers of services, and persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities and their families. The mission of OPWDD is for people with developmental disabilities to lead rich and fuller lives.

One Place for Special Needs                                   

This is an information network and social community that allows the disability community to share resources and make connections in their own neighborhood. It is also a place where those who actively work with individuals with disabilities can let us learn about their products, programs, and service.

Parent to Parent of NYS         

LI Contact - Valerie Colavecchio: vcolavecchio@ptopnys.org
415 Oser Avenue
Hauppauge, NY 11788     
631-434-6151

Parent to Parent’s mission is to match parents on a one to one basis via the telephone to offer support, educational and community resource information, presentations and educational advocacy.

Social Security Administration     

www.socialsecurity.gov
75 Oak Street
Patchogue, NY 11772                 
(800) 772-1213

SSI makes monthly payments to people with low income and limited resources who are 65 or older, or blind, or disabled. Visit the web site to learn more about if your child could be eligible to receive payments.

Suffolk County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) 

631-853-8337

SCAT provides curb to curb service to individuals with disabilities. SCAT provides safe, reliable transportation service designed to increase mobility in Suffolk County. Applications can be found on the website homepage.

Suffolk County Department of Labor–Disability Employment Initiative Project     

H. Lee Dennison Bldg
100 Veterans Memorial Hwy,
P.O. Box 6100
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-853-6526  

Offering employment related services to Suffolk County Youth to include Career Counseling, Resume preparation, Computer labs, Job listings, Vocational training, Video library, Phones/Faxes, and Job search web sites for Career Exploration to include Career Zone and Choices.

Suffolk Independent Living Organization (SILO)             

http://www.siloinc.org/
Regional Resource Development Center
755 Waverly Avenue
Holtsville, NY 11742  
631-320-1662

SILO is a not-for-profit agency that advocates for the independence and rights of individuals with disabilities. Direct services assist consumers to act for themselves in developing skills and abilities that leads to autonomy and independence. Programs and services focus on empowerment, mentorship, knowledge, and advocacy.

Transition ListServ

This list serve sends information via your email on transition resources and upcoming events on the local, state and national fronts. To receive information, send a blank email to tps@lists.esboces.org  and you will be instantly signed on.

U.S. Department of Education- Office of Civil Rights                             

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
1-800-421-3481

US Department of Education enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. These laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of a disability. OCR’s mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence through vigorous enforcement of civil rights in our nation’s schools.

• General Education Graduation Requirements as per NYSED
  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/gradreq/Documents/nysed-diploma-requirements-june-2017.pdf
• Graduation Requirements for the Patchogue-Medford School District
  http://pmschools.org/instruction.cfm?subpage=1148388

New York State Education Department (NYSED) - Regulations of the Commissioner of Education

http://www.nysed.gov/special-education/new-york-state-laws-and-regulations-related-special-education-and-students

Part 200 – Students with Disabilities
Part 201 – Procedural Safeguards for Students with Disabilities Subject to Discipline

Definition of terms 200.1

Procedures for Referral, Evaluation, Individualized Education Program (IEP) Development, Placement and Review

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/sect2004-20016amend-412.pdf

Special Education Acronyms

http://www.nysed.gov/about/acronyms

Student Privacy Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Special Education in New York State for Children Ages 3-21 – Parent’s Guide

English: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/parentsguide.pdf

Spanish:   http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/SpanishParentGuide.pdf

Guide to Quality Individualized Education Program (IEP)

www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/iepguidance/IEPguideDec2010.pdf

Test Access & Accommodations for Students with Disabilities – Policy and Tools to Guide Decision

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/test-accommodations-guide-february-2018.html